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PM Malcolm Turnbull visits site of new Midland train station

Hasluck MHR Ken Wyatt with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in April at the launch of a multibillion-dollar WA infrastructure package. Picture: Supplied

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the site of the new Midland train station today after matching the Opposition’s commitment of $83 million to the project.

The funding announcement was a Liberal election promise made earlier this year as part of a $420 million commitment to infrastructure in Hasluck.

On his pre-election campaign in Perth, Mr Turnbull had an extremely brief visit with Hasluck MHR Ken Wyatt at the Railway Parade site where the train station is planned to be relocated.

In a brief statement, Mr Turnbull said the Liberal Federal Government had committed $1.1 billion to rail infrastructure and this was part of that funding.

Having come from an event on his election campaign trail with school students in what a Liberal staffer said was “selfie city”, he was quick to race off and continue on his rally to secure WA votes with his plan to carve-up GST.

In the Prime Minister’s absence, Mr Wyatt said the $420 million in infrastructure projects earmarked for Hasluck would help save lives, reduce congestion and lift business efficiency.

“The relocation of the Midland station will provide easier access to the hospital for patients and visitors,” he said.

“Rebuilding it on the original site is great for the history of Midland but more importantly for the safety of the people needing to walk over to the hospital because you won’t be walking long distances in streets that may not be well lit.

“Railway works and priority interchanges are going to make life easier for local people and businesses, allowing people to spend more time with their families.”

The Federal Government also committed $183 million for the Hale, Welshpool and Kelvin Road interchanges on Tonkin Highway and $144 million for the Roe Highway-Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchange.

Mr Wyatt said the funding for the projects was a tremendous win for the people of Hasluck and the broader community, especially the $10 million Commonwealth commitment for the Orange Route to take trucks off the Great Eastern Highway and ensure there’s a safer Armadale.

“Any investment in Midland, including Midland Gate increasing the number of shops, gives people living in this area better choice and greater opportunity,” he said.

“Midland is a forgotten jewel…it was once one of the greatest hubs in this state; let’s make Midland great again.”